Allergy Testing & Care
Allergies Explained
Allergies occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to a substance which normally does not cause a reaction in non-allergic individuals. Symptoms of an allergy may include itchy eyes, watery eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, asthma, itchy and inflamed skin, headaches, recurrent sinusitis, fatigue, bloating and cramping. Allergies may be seasonal or year-round. Allergies may be controlled with medications or environmental changes. If your symptoms are uncontrolled or you would like to reduce your need for medications, you may want to consider an allergy evaluation.
The Allergy Evaluation
The goal of an allergy appointment is to determine if over-reactivity of your immune system is causing your symptoms. At the visit, a detailed history of your problems and relationship to various exposures, review of your medical and family history, your hobbies, occupation and home exposures as well as a diet history. A screening panel of skin tests is performed to determine which substances cause a reaction. The screening covers the 50 most common allergens for our area including trees, pollens, dust, cat and dog dander as well as other airborne and mold sources. Screening requires about 30 minutes and involves using a “scratch test” which does not cause significant discomfort other than minor itching at the positive testing sites. It is very important that you abstain from using any antihistamine medications for several days prior to testing as this may cause a false negative reaction (you won’t react even if you are allergic to the testing substances). These medications include over-the-counter preparations such as Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec or any other cough or cold medication that mentions antihistamine on the label. Prescription antihistamines to avoid prior to testing include Clarinex, Allegra and Xyzal. Recommendations offered for allergy treatment may include medications, environmental or dietary changes, other diagnostic studies, or immunotherapy.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy, commonly referred to as “allergy shots,” is an allergy treatment program designed to reduce your sensitivity to those substances to which you are allergic. Sterile extracts containing allergy-producing substances such as pollen, animal dander, molds or house dust are prepared. These mixtures of substances are placed in treatment vials. You will receive gradual increasing doses of your treatment vials, allowing your immune system to gradually build tolerance to these substances over time. The dose that relieves your symptoms of an allergy or the maximum dose you can tolerate without a reaction will become your maintenance dose. You will continue to receive this maintenance dose for 1 year. Retesting and treatment is recommended after 1 year with most patients receiving maximum benefit from immunotherapy after three years and the benefit usually lasts many years. The immunotherapy serum is produced in conjunction with United Allergy Labs.
Benefits of Immunotherapy
Approximately 80% of patients participating in immunotherapy have excellent results with markedly reduced symptoms and use of medications. Immunotherapy treated patients report a marked reduction in allergy symptoms and use of allergy medications. Most patients feel better and are more productive missing less work and school, and spend less money on medications and doctor visits.
Cost of Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy
Most insurance companies cover allergy testing and immunotherapy. You may call us with your insurance information and we will be happy to check with your insurer regarding your specific coverage. You may call today for more information at (405) 330-0038.
